Former CM and small business owner Johnny Khamis recently argued in Opp Now that housing activists are misleading the public about the true high costs and low returns of county Measure A. Long-time subsidized housing advocate Sandy Perry recently attempted to defend the city/county's failed Housing First strategy in a SJ Spotlight op-ed, and in doing so, misstated Khamis' thesis and floated other misinformation. The Opp Now team sets the record straight.
Read MoreMatt Mahan defeated Labor-backed Cindy Chavez in the SJ 2022 mayoral race--even though he was outspent substantially. And in this year's primary election, Labor didn't even mount a challenge to Mahan, who waltzed to an 86% victory.In this Opp Now exclusive, we asked local political watchers from across the political spectrum* why South Bay Labor has trouble competing in the bigger, most important South Bay races. Their answers (edited/consolidated below) suggest the following conclusion: Labor's sharp turn to the left collides with the Valley's more moderate political demographics, and that severely limits Labor's political footprint.
Read MoreThe Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) “names and shames” this year's lineup of America's worst offenders for squelching free speech. And sadly, San Francisco State University (whose students held speaker Riley Gaines hostage last spring) and California Community Colleges (currently being sued for its dogmatic DEI statement hiring requirement) just joined the hall of shame. More info, and litigation updates, from FIRE below.
Read MoreMarc Joffe takes to the OC Register to dispel claims that California's High-Speed Rail will reduce CO2 emissions, showing instead—employing HSR Authority's latest ridership and emissions savings projections—that HSR is decidedly incapable of making even the slightest dent in climate crises.
Read MoreOne year after women's sports advocate Riley Gaines was assaulted and held for ransom at SF State University, Gaines queried police about their criminal investigation: it's been suspended for “unfounded” charges, a claim Gaines rebuts in Campus Reform. Sadly, folks tracking the Bay Area's explosion of anti-free speech mobs (recently plaguing SJSU and UC Berkeley) are anything but surprised at this development.
Read MoreStatutes on occupying and gaining access to others' property are often twisted to support activist stunts and possession by unappreciated guests, which can clean out homeowners' wallets in the snap of a finger. KTVU reports that a high-end Hollywood residence was illegally occupied by folks leasing rooms to OnlyFans models. Thankfully, police shuttered the operation, but property owners were left with a big ol' “mess to clean.”
Read MoreThis week, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors approved a bill that'll require contracted nonprofits to meet “measurable performance goals” if they want to keep consuming City money. Lately, SF has faced scrutiny for a barrage of nonprofit scandals exposing serious misuse of taxpayer funds; and many (including former mayor Sam Liccardo) worry San Jose'll be similarly plagued unless pols take action. From the SF Examiner.
Read MoreVTA's own independent auditor found that the BART extension team had "engaged in ‘breach of transparency’ and ‘misleading’ communications to its governing board and public about the project’s cost." Even after promises by VTA to kick the habit of slow-walking adverse information about the project, experts are still finding notable lapses in communication. From Marc Joffe, Cato Institute, in a March 10, 2024 public letter to VTA committee.
Read MoreHeads up: PG&E is raising its rates yet again, a widely misliked move criticized by Sen. Scott Wiener among others. Meanwhile, nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) questions the State's longstanding system that upholds “energy monopolies,” instead of fighting for more fiscally/environmentally efficient, pro-consumer policies.
Read MoreOn Monday, Supe Ellenberg argued in SJ Spotlight that requiring sobriety of welfare recipients is an unscientific, fear-based frippery—that people can be trusted to “make their own determinations” with gov't funds—basing her conclusion on what turn out to be highly questionable, biased reports. Spoiler alert: relying on self-reporting about people's drug habits and spending is unserious and parochial. Various sources excerpted below.
Read MoreKarl Marx famously said, "History repeats itself first as tragedy, then as farce." SJ taxpayers are wondering—at least when it comes to yet another budget-busting BART overage—what comes after farce? Marc Joffe of Cato Institute explains in this Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreLast month, Jewish students trying to enter UC Berkeley's auditorium for an Israeli attorney's guest talk were met and harassed by a vitriolic pro-Palestinian throng. The speech got shut down for safety concerns. Cal admin shared an apologetic pro-free speech statement, but many—like the WSJ editorial board and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)—are demanding Berkeley properly discipline offenders.
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